All I Need Now Is a Pair of Leather Chaps

Max Maxfield cannot stop himself from adding to his collection of items from Saddleback Leather.

I simply cannot help myself. I love real leather products for their look and their staying power. I can't think of anything else (apart from myself) that looks better the older it gets and the more it's battered around.

Of course, not all leather is the same. You can purchase a leather belt from a discount store that feels weak and wishy washy from the get-go. In such a case, you're not too surprised when the buckle holes begin to stretch and the stitching starts to fray.

At the other end of the spectrum, you have stuff like the products from Saddleback Leather. What other company do you know that boasts a hundred-year warranty? As Dave Munson, the owner of Saddleback Leather, says on its website: "If, for any reason, your piece doesn't live up to what we said it would, then contact us or have one of your descendants get ahold of one of my descendants and we'll take care of you."

I started my journey of discovery with Saddleback a few years ago, when I purchased an iPad case. I still get comments on this everywhere I go. Also, unlike my wife's and son's iPads ("protected" by regular cases), mine is still in pristine condition.

Another early purchase was my tow belt. I honestly believe that I will never need to purchase another belt as long as I live. These are so good that I bought one for my brother, one for my father-in-law, and one for my best friend as Christmas presents the year before last. To the best of my knowledge, these people haven't worn any other belt since that time.

I also have a little sleeve wallet, which holds my business cards. Of course, the pride of my collection is my messenger bag, which I take everywhere. This is perfect for slipping under the seat in front of you on an aircraft. Like the other products, it will last me the rest of my life. My inventor friend, Brian LaGrave, drools over this bag every time he visits me in my office.

A few weeks ago, my old wallet shrugged off this mortal coil, so I invested in a long trifold wallet. What can I say? I love it. Even though it's not small, it fits comfortably in the pocket in my cargo shorts. I've not tried it in the pocket of my jeans, but if it doesn't fit, I'll just have to wear cargo shorts all year round.

Every now and again, however, one does need to travel a little lighter. Thus, I'm currently doing my happy dance, because I just took delivery of a rather tasty little belt pouch.

This little beauty is ideal for those times when you need to store only a few small items, like some keys and a couple of credit cards. I'm currently wearing it in with a small notepad and pencil, a miniature tape measure, and a couple of screwdrivers (the essentials a young boy simply cannot be without).

All I'll need then is a pair of leather chaps to complete my collection. (I wonder if Saddleback makes custom items.) How about you? Is there any article of luggage or any accessories like wallets or belt pouches that you simply cannot do without?

I noticed on the Saddleback site that the seeming majority of the reviews referred to the amazing ability of the belts to support a holster with a large pistol in it! My favorite belt for that purpose is one that I picked up some years ago (~14 or so) when I lived in Texas. It was quite inexpensive (about 15% of the "best" from Saddleback) and was actually a promotional item for the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco, just east of I-35 at the Waco exit. It's tooled leather, and a thick piece of rawhide (at least 3/16 inch thick and 1,5 wide). It was sold (in the gift shop of course like all museums) next to the Chuck Norris/Walker wing. It will likely outlive me based on the minimal wear and tear so far! It goes quite nicely with blue jeans, of course. It holds my holster with the 9mm, and the belt twin magazine holder, with no perceptible sag.

I have another belt that I bought in Warsaw, Poland 20+ years ago in a very posh leather goods shop on Jerusalemski St.. Back then, I was at my peak all-time weight: that belt size was 105 cm. I still use it, but the current hole (I have a leather punch that I use to prolong the useful life of my belts during the years I was shedding 85 lb that I never mentioned in the "Hole-making thing" blog) is about 8 inches from the one i originally had to use! It's a graphic reminder how I am now a mere shadow of my former self!

@antedeluvian: As you know I undertake the maraton trips from Canada to South Africa quite often. Door to door can take 36+ hours and I have usec a smal backpack to hold all...

I always travel with two notepad computers these days (in case one goes down). I have a big backpack that goes in the overhead compartment, and my Saddleback Leather Messenger Bag, which slips under the seat in front ov me -- check out this blog for more details.

@TonyTib: Is it easier to find a new wife that suites you well or a new rucksack that suits you well?

I'm not good with Zen questions. I do remember reading that if you want to know who loves you more -- your wife or your dog -- put them both in the trunk of your car for an hour and then see who is the most pleased to see you when you let them out.